Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-04-06
Tim and bis Dog.

pinched with the cold, he stood, offeri ms
his matches to the unheeding, hurrying
passers by. 1t had been bitterly cold al
day, and all day be had trudged the streets
trying in vain to make a copper or two
wherewith to buy meal and pay for 6
shelter this bitter night Homeless anc
friendless he stood there, claiming no home
but the workheuse, calling none friend but
the terrier trembling at his heels.
An earnest little face he had, stamped
with that look of patience which is born
only of suffering bravely endured. The
clear cut features were sharpened by cold
and hunger, the blue eyes piteous in theiI
glance as he scanned the faces in the mov-
ing thropg. He shivered every now and
then as the keen wind swept round the
corner, Blowing aside his f1ttering rags,
and making the gaslight flicker in the
lamps but his voice was cheerful as he
bent down to speak to the dog covering at
his feet. az
t'Cold. Smut?''
Smut pressed a little closer to the boys
side, giving monosyllable wag to his tail
in answer to his masters words.
The slow minutes passed, and each mo-
ment the boys hunger and WEAKNESS in
creased.
"'Taint O. no use, Smut he said at
length, in tone of detection 1--WE shan't
sell tonight. 'Tis too windy fur the swels
to smoke, and when tits so cold they won't
unbutton their coats fur to take out a
penny"
The dogs tail dropped dejectedly, and he
heaved long sigh as be looked up ques-
tioningly into his masters face.
keep up yer courage, ole man." con-
tinued the boy, with forced cheeriness,
'We'n do better to-morrer, and we've
spent windy night on Blackfriars bridge
afore now"
AS he dragged himself YEARLY along the
brightly lighted Strand, he paused for a
moment outside confectioner's window.
Flattening his face against the glass, he
gazed hungrily at the roast beef and tur-
key and plum-pudding so temptingly dis
played within. Through the grating from
the kitchen below came savory odors which
filled the boy with longing and the dog
with restless excitement. They had eaten
nothing since the morning, and 10 this
fasting condition a night on Blackfriars
bridge was not cheering prospect.
Two ladies walking quickly up the street
were struck by the pathetic little figure
The brilliant light from the shop window
fell full upon the small pinched face and
eager blue eyes, upon the untidy shock OF
look of hunger was unmlstakable, and it
moved the elder lady to pity
''Stop him for moment, Edith must
get him something to eat," she said, hasti-
ly entering the shop.
The pretty, fair haired girl laid her hand
on the boys shoulder as he slowly turned
away from the window.
you are hungry ?" she questioned,
closely examining the intense, little face
upturned to hers.
He nodded emphatically, looking up
with wondering eyes at this beautiful, low
voiced lady. whose cold, sweet tones
seemed so full of tenderness to him.
''You are often hungry?" she continued.
''Most always" he answered, laconically
swell, here's penny for you, and my
friend will bring you out something to eat
in minute
The boy was too much surprised to an
swer, but his sharp eyes were full of graft
tude as ne awkwaidly touched his cap.
''Should you like to earn three pence to-
morrow morning." she asked, still regard
ing the boy with eager interest.
'Rathero' he answered, quickly. "There
amt many things as 1 wouldn't do fur
thripence."
'Do you know where Suffolk street is ?'
Second turning to yer right" he said
promptly.
81 live at the fifth house on the left hand
side as you go down." she said, slowly
"Can you remember that?'
He nodded again, his face bright with in
telligence as he followed her directions.
''I'll remember"
''Come at II O'clock she said, sand
ask for Miss Munro. am going to make
q picture of you-send you to the Grosve-
nor if you are success. If you are good
boy you shall have three pence day until
the picture is flushed.
At this moment the other lady came out
of the shop with parcel in her hand.
"Here is something to eat, my boy" she
said, in comfortable, motherly way
s.Take it home and have a good meal
Now, Edith, if you are ready.''
He watched them silently till they passed
out of sight, his eyes round with astonish-
ment
"Here's a go?' he murmured, as he
turned away from the brightly lighted
window. ''Thripence day-why, l shall
make my FORUM! Come, Smut, we'll find
doorstep and eat our supper. Oh, here's
gor'
Turning down by street they soop
found sheltered doorstep on which they
seated themselves. Smut pressed close to
his masters side, eagerly shifting at the
parcel which the boy proceeded to open
with fingers trembling with excitement.
"Beef, roast beef! Amt we in luck,
Smut? And hot Eaters and bread! Oh,
Smut, amt she sumner, and no mistaken
The food was consumed in rapturous 81
lence. while the icy wind swept by unre-
garded by the happy pair in their sheltered
corner.
mo nasty bridge for us, Smut she gave
me penny, and we'll sleep in jolly wal m
room tonight" said the boy presently,
holding ont the greasy paper for the dog
to lick. my eye! amt we in luck? Thri
pence day, Smut, that comes to one and
six week. Oh, sha'n't we be rich2''
Smut thumped his short tail loud in re-
sponse, and pushed his cold nose affection
ately against his masters cheek.
"Thripence day if Pm good boy" he
went or refectively. "But, Smut, l aini
a good bog. l swear at the chaps when
they call me Carrots, and ! lick 'em when
they say you're a ugly brute. Good boys
don't fight and swear. If she finds ont as
/ amt good / s'pose she won't make a
pictur' o. me no more--she'll stop the thri-
pence day. But she sha'n't find out, ole
man. II tell her I'm pious chap as goes
to the Sunday school. GentIefolks think a
ljust?'
At II o'clock next morning be was ad-
mitted into the house in Suffolk street by a
neat maid servant, who eyed him suspici-
ously as she curtly told him to follow her
upstairs. He was shown into a large,
barely furnished room at the top of the
house, where he found his friend Of the pre-
vious night seated before an easel.
''Ah, there you are" she said carelessly;
''and your little dog, too. What is his
name?''
''Smut? But he isn't black"
"He's been washed" explained the boy.
''He was awful black when | seed him
first that's why called him Smut. Blu
he don't mind, bless you. He's got tie
temper of an angel"
"How was it he was so black when you
bought him?" she asked indifferently. "He
is white now''
A